Britannia antiqua illustrata, or, The antiquities of ancient Britain derived from the Phœenicians, wherein the original trade of this island is discovered, the names of places, offices, dignities, as likewise the idolatry, language and customs of the p by Aylett Sammes ...

DOMITIAN.

THE first year of Domitian, and the fourth of Agricolas's Go∣vernment in Britain, was spent in securing what the Summer * 1.1 before had been newly gotten in the Island; and had the Cou∣rage of his Souldiers been answerable to the Conduct of the General, and the Fortune of the Common-wealth, by the loss of Titus, not seemed at a stand, the utmost Bounds of Britain might at this time been laid open to the Romans, for Glota and Bodo∣teia, now Dun Britton, and Edinburrough Fryths, running from both Seas far into the Continent, and disjoyned only by a neck of Land, together with all the Creeks and Havens on this side, were held by Roman Garrisons, and the Enemies as it were driven and penn'd up in another Island.

In the fifth year of his Expedition, as soon as ever the Seas were open, he took Shipping, and passed to Nations till then unknown, supposed to be the North parts * 1.2 of Scotland, the Orcades, and other Islands adjacent.

These in many prosperous Battles he subdued, and in those Parts which lay next unto them, he placed Garrisons and Souldiers, not out of fear to hold, but hopes of gaining further. Ireland he understood lay between Britain and Spain, and very opportunely for the Gallick, and although not so great as Britain, yet under the same Climate, the Nature and Customes of the People not much different, but the Ports and Harbours better known, as lying opener to the World, and more frequented by Traders.

This Island, if he could bring to Obedience, he thought would be of great im∣portance to the Common-wealth, and by joyning Commerce, would unite and link together the strongest Members of the Empire; But as it stood separate from the rest it was of dangerous consequence, and might be prejudicial to the Britains if once the Roman Arms were removed, and the name of Liberty lost among them. He used often to say, That with one Legion, and some Auxiliary Forces, it might be obtained, and that he had such a purpose is manifest, for that he entertained a Prince of that Nation from his Country, by Civil Commotions, and under the colour of Courtesie and Kindness kept him with him for a fit occasion.

But the next year he was called away by nearer Concerns, he feared a general Rising of the Nations beyond Bodotria, understanding that the Britains had Way-laid * 1.3 all the passages by Land, to amaze and divert them he commanded his Fleet to coast it along the Shoars, and himself with eaven marches kept close to it; This policy of Agricola's succeeded well, and the shew of his Navy was as helpful to him as its force, for the Britains at once beholding the Fleet and Army were utterly disheartned, and, as afterwards was learnt from Fugitives, complained, that the Sea as well as the Land conspired to their ruine, and, that now the Ocean it self, their last refuge was taken from them.

But on the other hand, the Romans were mutually encouraged at the sight of each other, and the Marriners and Souldiers often meeting in the same Camp, with Mi∣litary vaunts extolled their own Atchievments, the Land-men bragging of the Woods and Mountains they had passed, and the Enemies they had overcome, the Sea-men on the other side not a little magnifying their dangers in Storms and Tempest, and the glory in having subdued the Ocean.

The Calidonians were now generally in Arms, and the noise of it was as great as the preparations. It was spread abroad, that of their own accords, without provo∣cation, they had begun the War and attacked many Castles, which opinion of being

The Challengers struck great Terrour into the Romans. There were them who under the name of Cautious Counsel endeavoured to conceal their Fears, and advised, that it was safest to withdraw beyond Bodotria, and more honourable to retreat from the Country than be driven out of it.

Agricola took other Resolutions, understanding that the Enemy was advancing in three Bodies, and lest he might be over-powr'd in Numbers, and over-match'd in the knowledge of Places, he likewise marched in three Divisions; The Enemy learning his changed Counsels, joyning Forces in the night time, set upon the ninth Legion in their Camp, and killing their Sentinels, brake in upon the rest, who were surprized between sleep and fear. And now some Execution was begun, when A∣gricola having by Scouts learnt out the March of the Enemy, he followed them at their heels, and commanded the swiftest of his Horse, and his lightest Foot to play on their backs, and the whole Army anon to second them with a shout.

The Britains hearing the Enemy in the Rear were disheartned, especially when the day appearing discovered their glittering Ensigns, and the Romans took courage and began to fight, now, not as men doubtful of Victory, but ambitious of Honour. Now might be seen the Roman Souldiers, of their own accord breaking into the Camp, and others fighting to get out, both Parties contending which should have the most Glory, the one in bringing assistance, the other in not seeming to have wanted it.

In this Fight the Britains were vanquished, and had they not betook themselves to their old Refuge, the Woods and Boggs, that day had made a total end of the War.

After this success the Souldiers were full of life and spirit, nothing now seemed hard unto them, they generally cried all out to be led into Caledonia, and to the utmost bounds of British Earth; Nay, they who before were for wary and saving Counsel, now lookt as big, and talked as boasting as any. Such is the hard condi∣tion of War, all challenging a part in what succeeds, but the miscarriages were laid upon one.

The Britains acknowledged themselves beaten not by the Courage of the Soul∣diers, but the cunning and Conduct of the General, and therefore they had no less thoughts of themselves than before, but made new Levies in order to prosecute the War, and before hand carried their Wives and Children into places of security, and sent about through the Cities to enter into a Union, which was afterwards rati∣sied with solemn Rights and Sacrifices.

In the mean time a Cohort of Usipians, raised in Germany, and sent into Britain, having slain a Centurion, and other Souldiers, that were appointed to exercise them in their Arms, took to Sea in three Pinnaces, and having killed some of the Mar∣riners whom they suspected, the rest they constrained to do their Office.

Thus having escaped, and none knowing what was become of them, having no Pilate, they were carried at random, as the Tide and Wind drave them, to and fro the Island, using Piracy where they landed. But at length, as they were reduced to extremity, they drew Lots to eat one another, and through wonderful difficulties, having been driven round the North of the Island, they were taken first by the Sue∣vians, and afterwards by the Freisians, and then sold into Britain, where they were discovered.

These were the first which discovered to the Romans, that BRITAIN was an Island.

The beginning of the next Summer, Agricola having sent out his Fleet to scour * 1.4 along the Coast, and strike Terrour into the Enemy, himself with a flying Army, consisting chiefly of Britains, whose Courage and Faith he had long experienced, came as far as the Mountain Grampius, upon which the Enemy was embattled; For the Britains not daunted with the ill success of the last Fight, and looking for no∣thing but Revenge or Slavery, were got thirty thousand together, and more daily ex∣pected to come up. The Aged themselves would not be exempted from this daies service, but as they had been Famous in their time, so every one carried before him some Badge or Trophy of his youthful Archievments. Amongst the rest, Galgacus, chief in Authority and Birth, when the Army cried out for the signal of Battle to be vgien, is said to have spoken to this purpose.

GALCACUS, his SPEECH to his Souldiers before Battle.

AS often as I consider the cause of the War, and our present necessity, I am strongly perswaded that this day, and this chearful Consent of yours, will give beginning and life to the Liberty of all Britain. We have every one been made sensible of Sla∣very, no part of the Earth hath protected us from Injury, nay the Sea it self is not secure whilest the Roman Fleet there so dreadfully appears to us. Arms and Battle, which to the Valiant are Honourable, prove now the safest refuge of Cowards.

Hitherto, in all the Battles fought against the Romans, with various success, we have alwaies been esteemed hitherto as a forlorne Hope, and upon occasions a powerful Re∣serve, because we the noblest of the Island, and seated in the most bidden retirements of it, have never so much as seen the Shoars of a truckling Nation, or polluted our Eyes with any contagion of Slavery. Placed in the extreams of the Earth, and Liberty, we have lived in the inmost Chambers of Honour, beyond which there is no more Earth, and besides which there is no Freedom.

Now the end of Britain is discovered, and things known carry less shew and appear∣ance, there are no Nations behind to amuse the Enemy, Rocks and Waves are on that side, and on this, Romans, whose Pride in vain Ye may seek to satisfie with Service and Submisdemeancur, Robbers of the World, that having now left no Land to plunder, ransack the Sea it self.

If the Enemy be rich, they are greedy of his Wealth, if poor, they covet Glory, whom not the East or West could ever satisfie; The only Men in the World, that with equal appetite seek out the Rich, and the Needy. To rob, kill, and plunder, they call Empire, and when they have brought desolation to a Country, they call it Peace.

Nature, by nearest ties, has linkt our Children and Relations to us, yet these are taken away, and pressed into other Service. Our Wives and Sisters, if they escape violent Force, yet suffer dishonour when they come as Guests, or Friends. Our Goods and For∣tunes they exhaust in Tributes, our Corn must supply their Granaries, and they wear out our Bodies in cleansing of Woods and Boggs, amidst a thousand Stripes and Indig∣nities.

Slaves, which are born to Bondage, are sold once for all, and afterwards kept at their Masters charges, but Britain daily buyes its Bondage, and daily maintaineth it. And as in a private Family the last Comer is the sport and scorn of his fellow Servants: so we who shall newly come to slavery, shall be laughed at by the old Drudges of the World. It is not to be doubted but our destruction is sought for, we have no Fields to Till, no Mines to dig in, nor no Havens to be cleansed, to what purpose therefore should they reserve us a Line.

The Courage and fierceness of the Subject pleaseth not the jealous Soveraign, and our Distance and Secrecy the more safety it yieldeth to us, the more to them it is suspe∣cted, so that laying aside all hopes of Pardon, at last take courage, as well they who have any respect to their safety, as such whose Honour is nearest to them. The * 2.1 Brigantes, under the Conduct of a Woman, fired a whole Colony, and forced the Castles, and had not the happiness of the success led them into a Sloth and Security, they might totally have shaken off the yoak from their gauled Necks.

We, as yet, in our full strength, and never tamed by any, born, and not redeemed into Liberty, must urge for an Encounter, if ever we will shew what manner of Men Cali∣donia hath reserved in store. Do you think the Romans are as valiant in War, as they are wanton in Peace? They are grown great by our Divisions, and vainly ascribe to the glory of their own Arms, what proceeds from their Enemies Dissensions. Composed they are of different Nations, which Union, as Success only holds together, so Adversity will quickly dissolve, unless ye suppose the Gauls and Germans (and which is a shame to be spoken) the Britains, who at the present serve to uphold Forraign Usurpation, can possibly have any faith or affection for them, who have been longer their Enemies than Masters. No, it is Terrour and Fear, those weak procurers of Affection, that keep them as yet in

Obedience, which if once removed, you will find that whom they feared they will hate. All the Incitements to Victory are on our side, the Romans have no Wives to encourage them to fight, no Parent to upbraid them, if they flie. Most have either no Country at all, or some other a few fearful Persons, trembling and gazing at the strangness of the Haven it self, the Sea, and Woods.

The Gods have delivered them, as it were, mewed up and fettered into our hands, let not the vain shew and glittering of Gold and Silver dazle you, a thing which neither defends in it self, or annoyeth.

In their very Battle, we shall find of our side, the Britains will own their Friends, the Gauls will remember their former Liberty, and the Germans will generally forsake them, as not long since did the Usipians.

We have nothing afterwards to fear, the Castles are empty, the Colonies are made up of nothing but Aged and Impotent persons. Between unjust Governours and stubborn Subjects, the free Cities are generally discontented and factious.

Here is a General, here an Army, these be the Tributes, there be the Mines, with the train of Slaveries, that unseparably attend upon bondage, all which must for ever be undergone, or in this one Battle revenged. Wherefore going to Battle, bear in your minds the freedom of your Ancestors, and the danger of your Posterity.

The Britains received this Oration with great testimonies of Joy, as Songs, con∣fused Noises, after the Custome of their Country, and a dissonant sort of Howling, which shewed their Approbation.

And now the Battle began to glitter, and every one to put himself into array. When Agricola scarce able to repress the heat of his Souldiers, yet thinking it con∣venient to say something, he thus delivered himself in this Speech.

AGRICOLA, his SPEECH to his Army before Battle.

THIS is the Eighth year, Fellow Souldiers, wherein your faithful Service and diligence, under the vertue and Fortune of the Roman Empire, hath sub∣dued Britain in so many Expeditions, so many Battles, either by Courage against the Ene∣my, or Patience and Labours. We have ran through the greatest Difficulties, and con∣quered even Nature it self, neither had you reason to be weary of your General, or I of my Souldiers, insomuch as we have exceeded the Limits, I, of my Predecessors, and You, of former Armies.

The utmost bounds of BRITAIN we now hold, not by Fame and Report, but with our Arms and Pavilions, and we have the honour both to Discover and to Subdue.

In your wearisome Marches, when the passing of Boggs, Rivers, and Mountains, has tyred you, how often have I heard the valiant Souldier say, When shall we meet the Enemy? When shall we fight? Behold they shew themselves from their secret lurking places; now you have your desires, now is there room for your Valour to be shewn, every thing is as you could wish, if you Conquer, but if you lose the day, all is against you. For, as to have gone so much ground, escaped the Woods, passed the Friths, were things, in Our coming, great and honourable: so, if we fly before the Enemy, the very same will be our hindrance and destruction. For neither have we the same knowledge of Pla∣ces as they, or if we had, yet want we Provisions, but Hands we have and Weapons, and in them all things.

For my part, I have been long since resolved, that to Retreat is neither safe for Soul∣dier nor General, and that a commendable death is to be preferred before the reproaches of an Ignominious life, and that Safety and Honour are now inseparably conjoyned, and let the worst happen, yet how glorious will it be to die in the uttermost end of the World, and Nature.

If new Nations and unknown Enemies were before us, I should exhort you by the Ex∣amples of other Armies, but now I shall only lay before you your own victorious Exploits. Ask your own Eyes, are not these the very same who last year stole upon the Camp by night,

whom with shouts only you overcame. These of all the Britains have been the nimblest in running away, and therefore are the last remaining. Just as in Woods and Forrests the strong∣est Beasts must be chased away by main force, whilest the timerous and fearful are driven on by the noise only of the Hunter: so the hardy part of the British Nation is already dispatcht, the rest is but a herd of Rascally Cattle, whom that at last you have found pro∣ceeds not from their Resisting, but being discovered, no further can they run, but stand now like Stocks, fixed to the ground they treadon, and afford to you an occasion of a wor∣thy and memorable Victory.

Make an end now of your Warfare, and to fifty years Labours add a great and con∣cluding Day, by this means you will approve to your Country, that it could never be justly laid to your charge that you protracted the War, in not pulling up the last Root of Re∣bellion.

Whilest Agricola was yet speaking, the eagerness of the Souldiers evidently ap∣peared, but the end of his Oration was received with loud and joyful Acclama∣tions, every one stood to his Arms, and shewed his alacrity by impatience to follow on.

Agricola ordered the Battle after this manner; His Body was made up of eight thousand Auxiliary foot, three thousand Horse were placed in the Wings, the Legi∣ons * 3.1 were set in the Reer, before the Camp; To the greater glory of the Victory, if it could be won without loss of Roman Blood, otherwise for assistance and succour, if the Auxiliaries should be repelled.

The British Army, for shew and terrour, was drawn up upon a Rising ground, the first Battalion stood on the Plain, the next higher behind, as the Hill ascended, the middle of the Plain was filled with the clattering noises of Charriots and Horse-men, ranging up and down.

Agricola perceiving the Enemy exceeded him in number, and fearing that at once they might attack him in the Front and Flanks, displayed his Army in length, and although by that means his Fore-battle was something of the thinnest, and many counselled to take in the Legions, yet he stood firm to his Resolution, and allight∣ing from his Horse, placed himself before the Standards.

The Fight began at distance, with missive Weapons, wherein the Britains shewed wondrous skill and dexterity, with short Swords or broad Targets they either a∣voided the Darts, or shoke them off, and in return liberally bestowed whole show∣ers of their own.

Agricola perceiving the disadvantage exhorted three Batavian Cohorts, and two of the Tungrians, that they would bring the Battle to dint of Sword, and hand∣stroaks, which they easily performed, being fitted thereto by long exercise.

The Britains on the other side having little Targets, and huge unweildy Swords without points, were not so well prepared for the thrust and close, and could not endure this sort of grapling, so that when the Batavians came to exchange blows with them, and to make at their Faces with their pointed Targets, and pointed Tucks, they easily bore them down, and in prosecuting their Victory advanced to the side of the Hill. The rest of the Cohorts mixing emulation with force, and striking at all that were near them, run on in the same course of Victory, leaving for haste many behind them half-dead, and some untoucht; In the mean while the Horse-men fled, and the Charriots brake into the Foot, but they who had lately terrified others, were now distressed themselves, being toiled with the thick Ranks of the Enemy, or bogled in the uneavenness of the ground.

Neither was the form of this Fight like a loose skirmishing of Horse-men, but each maintaining his ground, endeavoured by the weight of their Beasts to bear down the Enemy. Now might be seen Charriots without Guiders, and the affrighted Horses running too and fro, and over-bearing all that met them, or thwarted their way.

When those Britains who had not yet engaged, but kept the tops of the Hills, as despising the fewness of the Enemy, began to draw down by degrees, and by taking a compass, to fall upon the Romans in their Reer, Agricola having suspected their intention, with four Squadron of Horse, which he had reserved for such a purpose, opposed their descent, and drave them back with as great violence as they had come on, pursuing them to their main Body.

And now the Counsel of the Britains was turned upon their own heads, for Agricola commanded some Troops to be taken from the Front of the Battle, and or∣dered them to second the Horse, and fall upon the back of the Enemy; Then might have been seen, in the open fields, a great and dismal spectacle, pursuing, wounding, taking, killing those that were taken, when others were offered. Now whole Re∣giments of the Britains, according to their several dispositions, some though Armed, and in more number, yet turned their backs to the sewer, others unarmed ran des∣perately upon the Weapons of the Enemy. Every where lay scattered Arms, Bo∣dies, and mangled Limbs, the ground was covered with Blood, and many wallowed in their own Gore, yet, left not off to give some proofs of their last Anger and Re∣venge.

And now a Party of the Britains had secretly possest themselves of some passages in the Woods, through which, as the Romans advanced, and with more heat than dis∣cretion pursued the Chase, set upon them, and unawares dispatched many, which had not Agricola perceived, and timely prevented, the Romans through their over∣confidence in the midst of Victory, had received a notable Overthrow; For he sent some of his best and readiest Cohorts to scour the Woods, and guard the Passages, and some Troops of Horse were ordered to ride up and down, and observe the Coasts, and others, where the entrances of the Forrests were thicker, to allight from their Horses, and stand to their Posts, which the Britains observing, and finding now that the Romans followed the Pursuit close and regularly, they all fled not as before, in whole Troops and Companies, but scattered and dispersed, every one, for his own security, taking into By-paths, and, out of fear, avoiding Friends as well as Enemies, until Night and fulness of Blood put an end to their Chase.

Of the Britains ten thousand were slain, of the Romans three hundred and forty, amongst which Aulus Atticus, Commander in chief of a Cohort, through Youthful heat, and the fierceness of his Horse, was carried on into the midst of his Ene∣mies.

The night was spent with joy by the Romans, who were full of Victory and Spoil, but the poor Britains wandring up and down, and Men and Women howling toge∣ther, lugg'd on the wounded, and cried help to those that were not hurt. Some for∣sake their Houses, others of their own accord, out of despite, fire their own Hou∣ses themselves, choosing out Holes to lurk in, which they as soon left, to find out others.

Sometimes they communicated Counsels together, and then they had some glim∣merings of hope, other whiles nothing but despair seizes them, and then they raged at the sight of their dearest Pledges; And it is certain, that many with a cruel Com∣passion laid violent hands on their Wives and Children, to secure them from the greater violence of the Romans.

The day appearing gave an opener Testimony and prospect of the Victory; every where desolation and silence, the Hills forsaken, the Cottages smoaking afar off, the Scouts sent abroad brought word that nothing appeared, no foot-steps of a general Flight could be discovered, nor any Britains drawn in Companies toge∣ther.

Hereupon Agricola, because the Summer was spent, and no fit Season to divide his Forces, brings them entire into the Borders of the Horesti, supposed the Inha∣bitants of Eske-Dale in Scotland, where receiving Hostages, he commanded the Ad∣miral of his Fleet to sail round Britain, sending him Forces for that purpose, but the Terrour of the Navy was gone before himself with slow and easie Marches, to the end he might awe the new Conquered Nations with the delaies of his passage, and so by degrees placed his Men in their Winter quarters.

The Navy with prosperous Winds, and good success, safely arrived at the Port Trutulensis, supposed Richborough, near Sandwich, from whence it departed, and coast∣ing along the nearest side of Britain returned thither again. And now most probably, if not in the fifth year of Agricola, as hath been mentioned, the Romans, might subdue the Isles of Orkney, which others, with less reason following Orosius, ascribe unto Claudius. And this discovery of Britain (by the Romans) to be an Island, was in * 3.2 the eighty sixth year after Christ, and the fourth of Domitians Reign.

Agricola, without any amplifying Terms, signified the state of Affairs in Britain, by Letters, to Domitian, who (after his usual Custome) received them with a joyful Countenance, yet within was he sad at heart. And certainly the Courage of this Prince cannot be better described, than in his carriage to this worthy General; For being inwardly pricked to think, that by his own counterfeit Triumph over the Germans (to fill out which, for want of true Captives, he was forced to buy such as by their Hair and Attire might Personate them) he would now become the scorn and derision of the World, when they should hear of the great and true Victories of A∣gricola, so many thousand slain, and the Fame of such Atchievments spread quite abroad; and fearing withal, that the name of a Private man might be advanced a∣bove that of the Prince: he secretly designed his ruine, thinking in vain that he had suppressed the study of Oratory, and other worthy politick Arts, thereby to keep down other mens Reputations, if he should suffer himself to be surpassed in Mili∣tary glory, which he esteemed the peculiar Honour of an Emperour, and the Jea∣lousies thereof not so easily to be dissembled.

Daily tormented with the said Cares, and musing much in his Closet alone, which was a sign of some Cruelty intended, he thought it best for the present to hide his Resentments until the heat of Agricola's Glory, and the love of the Army towards him, was somewhat abated. He continued him therefore in his Command, and with all shew of Acknowledgment for so great Services, commands that in Senate Triumphal Ornaments be decreed to him with the honour of a Statue, and what else was necessary of making up of a just Triumph, adding himself words highly advantagious in fa∣vour of him.

But he wanted not long an opportunity of removing him, a thing he so much desired, for the Province of Syria being void by the death of Atilius Rufus, a Con∣sular Lieutenant, and reserved for men of great Quality, he caused to be given out, was designed for Agricola, and so naming a Successour for Britain, called him home, but fearing (it seems) not to be obeyed, unless with the new Governour the Commission for Syria was also dispatcht, he employs one of his secret and trusty Servants to carry it, but with this Command, not to deliver it unto Agricola if he had already resigned his Province, which (as was thought) was accordingly per∣formed, and the Servant meeting him at Sea, never so much as saluted him, but re∣turned to the Emperour with the Patent.

Agricola arriving at Rome, received secret Instructions to make his Entry in pri∣vate, which he did accordingly, and by night came into the City, and by night into the Palace, where he was received by Domitian with a short Complement, and then placed amongst the rest of the Waiters.

But such was the Behaviour of this great General, that although Domitian sought all occasion to destroy him, yet found he none, his Carriage was so affable and free from pride, his Garb so modest, and his Retinue so small, that his greatest Enemies saw no side lie open to assault him. And, although he was often accused by some, du∣ring his Country retirement, yet so frivolous were the Crimes charged upon him, that Domitian was constrained (though otherwise inclined) to acquit him; Nay, he avoided for a while those worst sort of Adversaries, namely, such as daily praised his Vertues, and extolled his Glory, a piece of Malice most of all dangerous, if instill'd into the ears of a Vicious and Self-condemning Prince.

He resigned his Command, as Mr. Hollinshead writes, to Cn. Trebellius, but I find no reason for his Opinion. We read of Salustius Lucullus, Legate of Britain in the * 3.3 daies of this Emperour, but no more can be found of any others, and of him only, than that he was slain by Domitian for giving his own Name to a sort of Spears which he invented. So small an affectation of Honour could not be forgiven to Salustius Lucullus, * 3.4 under a jealous Sovereign, which Lucius Lucullus enjoyed in safer times, who called a sort of black Marble, in which he delighted, by the name of Lucullean Marble, and yet went quietly to his Grave.

Agricola delivered his Province to his Successour safe and quiet, but it seems it continued not in a peaceable condition long after his Removal, for, as may be ga∣thered by a Preface in Tacitus, to a Book of his Histories, it was either through the Envy of Domitian, or the Ill Conduct of his Captains, lost again from the Romans, * 3.5 and Juvenal the Poet writes of Arviragus (in these daies, and not before) King of * 3.6

Britain, who so well behaved himself against them, that he was not only grown Fa∣mous at Rome, but accounted matter of great Triumph, if he could be taken Cap∣tive, or overcome.

And now, besides the loss of Britain, upon the neck of one another followed the Revolts of Maesia, Dacia, Germany and Pannonia, and the Romans on all sides, were through the neglect or rashness of their Generals, grievously distrest, insomuch that Agricola, by the common voice of the Multitude, was demanded for Leader, and, by the wisest, looked upon as the fittest person to put a stop to these growing Calamities, but what was intended for his honour proved his destruction, for al∣though he refused the Employment, as knowing not safe to take it, and albeit at present Domitian seemed graciously to admit his Exercise, yet was he not long after poysoned by him, as a Person of too dangerous a Vertue, and too much beloved, to be suffered to live.

* 3.7 Thus died this famous Agricola, who carried the Roman Standards to the utter∣most bounds of Britain, and the Isles of Orkney, subduing more Nations than all his Predecessours before had done, and Ireland he had certainly attempted, had not the Jealousies of Domitian too soon recalled him.

But what he performed in War, was not comparable to his actions in Peace, his reforming the Abuses and Exactions of his Officers, by which he reduced the Britains not only to the use of Civil life, but the love of it. He trained the Nobility up in Liberal Arts and Sciences, by sending them into Gaul, where they might learn per∣fectly the Laws of the Romans, insomuch as Juvenal, in these times, writes,

Gallia causidicos docuit facunda Britannos. * 3.8

Moreover he furnished them with goodly Houses, and stately Buildings, proud Por∣tico's, and sumptuous Baths; he taught them the neat use of Diet and Apparel, in∣somuch that they were not Inferiour to any other Province; He changed their cum∣bersome Charriots into the Coaches and delicate Litters of Rome, and for the con∣venience of Travel, he was the beginner of those Roads, and Causies, which were afterwards more universally paved by the Romans through the Island.

Thus about the Year of Grace 86, all on the south part of Glota, and Bodotria, * 3.9 that is, the Friths of Dunbritton and Edinborough, was reduced whole and entire into the form of a Province, which was not governed by any Consular, or Pro∣consular Deputy, but was esteemed Praesidialius, that is, under the immediate pro∣tection and eye of the Emperour, and held by his Garrisons, for it being annexed to the Empire after the division of Provinces made by Augustus, it was not subject to their Laws and Customes, but had Protectours of its own, which were sent and recalled again at the will and pleasure of the Emperour alone, all Usuages, Pre∣scriptions of other Provincial Governments to the contrary not withstanding.

And in this the Priviledge of Britain was somewhat advanced above that of other Nations, besides, that they had Kings of their own, even in the Roman Pale, which carried in it a shew of Liberty, though but for a time, and was indeed, nothing but the usual method of that Common-wealth, to make Princes Instruments of their deeper Slavery; so that what Kings of Britain, for the future we shall find under the Emperours, they were either Tributaries to the Romans, if they lived in the Southern parts, such as Lucius and Coelius, or else they resided beyond Glota and Bodotria, those Northern Regions, the absolute Conquest whereof Agricola had not time to accomplish.

In the daies of this Domitian lived at Rome Claudia Rufina, the Daughter of a Britain, and Wife of Pudence a Senatour, famous in the Verses of Martial for her Beauty, Wit, and Learning.

Claudia coeruleis cum sit Rufina Britannis * 3.10 Edita, cur Latiae Pectora Plebis habet. Quale decus formae? Romanam credere matres Italides possunt, Atthides esse suam.

Though Claudia does descend of British Race, Yet her Behaviour's full of Roman Grace; Her Beauty does the Italian Dames surpass, And for her wit, she may for Attick pass.

But more famous was she for her profession in Christianity, in the writings of St. Paul, being the very same Woman (as John Bale and Matthew Parker, first Pro∣testant * 3.11 Arch-bishop of Canterbury, have written) of whom he maketh mention in his later Epistle to Timothy; neither is the computation of Time repugnant, although others are of a different Opinion.

And now we come to the death of Domitian, there being nothing more upon Record memorable in his Reign that relates to our British Affairs. He was slain in a Conspiracy, wherein his Wife was partaker, the chief in the Action was Stephen a Procurator, and Steward to Domicilla the Empress, who feigning himself Lame of one Arm, and carrying it in a Scarf, secretly withal bore a Dagger therein, and approaching to the Emperour, under pretence of delivering him a Scrowl of the Names of divers Conspirators, struck him with a Poniard into the Belly. Do∣mitian, although sorely wounded, yet was not wanting to himself upon so sudden an occasion, for strugling with this Assassinate, he had certainly wrested the Dagger from him, had not the rest of the Confederates broke in, and with seven Wounds put an end to his life.

It was upon the eighteenth day of September (the name of which Month he had changed into that of Germanicus, a Title vainly assumed to himself) in the fifteenth year of his Reign, and of his life 45, in the year of Grace 98. * 3.12

The chief Vertues of this Prince (for his Vices were innumerable) were, that he favoured Learning, and was the Patron of greatest Bounty, and easiest Access of any in his time. He was desirous of a lasting Name, but took the wrong way in attaining it; for being pleased with the Flatteries of some Writers, who would make him an excellent Prince, he neglected to be so, and alwaies sought after the shadow of Vertue rather than the substance of it.

But these Parasites who were kept warm by his Bounty, whilest living, basely de∣serted him at his death, and followed his Memory with all the Scorns and Reproaches of the succeeding Age. None thought of his Apotheosis, or Deification, after his Departure, insomuch that it may be counted a Prophetick Spirit in him as well as Pride, That in his life time he commanded himself to be called God and Lord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ann. Dom. 82
• * 1.2

  Ann. Dom. 83.
• * 1.3

  An. Dom. 84.
• * 1.4

  Anne Dom. 85.
• * 2.1

  Trinobantes rather,
• * 3.1

  The Order of the Battles on both sides.
• * 3.2

  Anno post Christum 86.
• * 3.3

  Hol. Hist. of Brit.
• * 3.4

  Suet. vit. Do∣mitian.,
• * 3.5

  Tacitus:
• * 3.6

  Juvenal.
• * 3.7

  Agricola, poysoned by Domitian, in reward of his good Service and Vertues.
• * 3.8

  Juvenal.
• * 3.9

  Ann. Dom. 86.
• * 3.10

  Martial.
• * 3.11

  Joh. Bale. Matt. Parker.
• * 3.12

  An. Dom. 98.